How Does Online Backup Differ From Cloud Storage Services?

You’ve probably heard the terms “online backup” and “cloud storage services” used synonymously, because both options offer you an excellent way to keep your data stored safely. However, there are a few important differences between online backup and cloud storage services that you should probably be aware of before you make a decision about which one you need.

Online Backup: The Option For Backing Up Your Files

Online backup has been around for longer than cloud storage and was originally designed to provide an alternative to the physical storage options we’d all previously relied on. Online backup allows you to save your files on a remote hard drive and then restore them should you suffer a data loss disaster. If you’re looking for a way to keep a few small documents safe from accidental deletion or natural disaster, online backup is a great option for you. Online backups tend to offer small amounts of space at very reasonable prices, allowing you to back up the most important files on your hard disk at a low cost.

Cloud Storage: The Option For File Sharing and Synchronization

Cloud storage is a newer invention and one that has many additional features that set it apart from online storage options. Its most talked about benefit is synchronization, a feature that allows you to replicate your documents in your cloud storage and then on to your other computers and devices as needed. This means you can be sure that your files are automatically backed up as you work on them.

Cloud storage also offers larger amounts of space, sometimes unlimited. While in many cases you’ll find that your upload speeds slow once you reach a certain amount of storage, but you will still be able to continue adding to your cloud storage none the less. Even so, it can help to choose a cloud storage provider that doesn’t cap your upload speeds once your storage hits the hundreds of gigabytes.

Cloud storage also gives you the option to grant access to certain files and folders within your storage to other people – something that certainly comes in handy if you work remotely with other people or your distant aunt would like to see your Christmas family photos.

Cloud Storage Or Online Backup: Which Is Right For Me?

Whether you decide to go with cloud storage or you opt for online backup is entirely up to you. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to store your irreplaceable documents, online backup might suit you best. If you want more features and more powerful functionality, you’ll be better off with cloud storage. Check out our comparison tables below to find out more: